Roller window shade



H. EaswQR'n-H 924,4?

ROLLER WINDOW SHADE Fim .June 17, 1938 Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES ROLLER WINDOW SHADE Richard Henry Ebsworth, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii Application June 17, 1938, Serial No. 214,242

8 Claims.

This invention relates to roller window shades.

Its object isI to provide a simple mechanism which will remedy the usual troubles to which they are subject. It is especially useful in shades installed in the inverted position, that is, where the roller is placed at the bottom of the window and pulled up by a cord passing through a pulley.

Specically, it provides means*- (1) which can make the pawl or pawls bear against the ratchet;

(2) which can hold said pawl or pawls away from the ratchet;

(3) which can easily be removed or adjusted into a non-operative pos1t1on.

In ordinary use pawls tend to become clogged with dust and sometimes fail to lock the roller. With the invention they can be loosened up by forcing them resiliently against the ratchet and unrolling the shade.

Again, for shades in the inverted position, except for installation or removal, it would be better if there were no pawls at all, and it is a common practice to use something such as beeswax to hold them out of action. With the invention the need for this is obviated, as the pawls can be held away from the ratchet, and yet brought quickly and easily into use again when required to assist in tensioning the roller on installation, or locking it for removal.

In the drawing:

Fig. l is a sectional View of the end of a shade roller showing the invention used to hold a pawl away from the ratchet. The section is made along a line between the arrows in Fig. 3.

Fig. 1A is a similar View showing a pawl pressed resiliently against the mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a View of the open end of a shade roller assembly showing the mechanism adjusted to a non-operative position.

Fig. 3 is a View of the end of ashade roller with the adjustable member removed.

Fig. 4 is the same View showing the said member in place. v

The drawing illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention and is given'so that it may be the more clearly understood but is not intended to limit its scope.

Further features will develop in the description and claims which follow.

In Fig. l the usual click or pawl I4 turning on pin Il is shown held away from ratchet notch 9 by the pressure of resilient collar 3 bearing through its elbow III on the Short end I6 of said pawl I. 'I'he usual metallic ferrule is shown in section at 6A and 'l is the usual squared end of the roller hub which acts as a supporting pin.

In Fig. 1A the p awl 2 is shown held into the notch of ratchet 8 by the resilient pressure of elbow 5 of spring collar 3A. Ferrule 6A is provided with slots 6C which serve to allow pasl sage of elbow 5.

In Fig. 2 pawls I and 2 are shown thrown out centrifugally as they would be when the roller is being rotated rapidly. The usual end pin 'l connects with the inside spring of the roller. Part of the ilange of ferrule 6 is shown at 6B and I2 indicates the inner margin of said ange. Collar I3 with its resilient portions 3 and 3A is in the non-operative position wherein pawls I and 2 are not acted on in either direction.

Fig. 3 shows the wooden end I5 of the roller and metal ferrule 6 with its inwardly turned retaining rim I4 and cut away at 6C to form slots allowing passage of spring elbows I0 and 5. (Fig. l and 1A).

Fig. 4 shows the adjustable collar I3 put into place, its outer surface milled for ease of adjustment. A spring elbow 3 is shown passing through one of the slots 6C of ferrule B.

A simple, practical, and easily adjusted mechanism has been described, one which makes the special manufacture of single notch rollers unnecessary, and the two usual drawbacks, failure of the pawls to operate, and operation when not needed, are both easily remedied.

I claim: i

1. In roller window shades, a ratchet wheel, pawlsv to engage said ratchet wheel, and means which may be adjustably located to resiliently press said pawls into engagement with said ratchet wheel and in another position to resiliently hold said pawls out of engagement with said ratchet wheel.

2. An assembly as in claim 1 where said means* is adjustable to an inoperative position wherein it does not act on said pawl or pawls.

3. In roller window shades a roller, ratchet, a pawl or pawls to engage said ratchet, a mechanism carried by said roller and adjustable relatively thereto, said mechanism causing said pawl or pawls to bear against said ratchet.

4. An assembly as in claim 3 where said mechanism may be adjusted to an inoperative position in which it does not act on said pawl or pawls. v

5. In roller window shades a roller, a ferrule on the end of said roller, apertures in said ferrule, and a member adjustable relatively to said anism may be adjusted to an inoperative position wherein it does not bear on said paWl.

8. In rollei` window shades, a roller fitted with one or more paWls, a ratchet, a member carried by and rotating with said roller, and rotatably adjustable relatively thereto, said member serving to hold said pawl o1' paWls out of engagement with said ratchet.

RICHARD HENRY EBSWORTH. 

